South Korean man allegedly drives car into sea, killing wife, sons over debt

A 49-year-old South Korean man killed his wife and two sons by driving his car into the sea due to mounting debt.

In a report by The Korea Times, local authorities said that the man, identified by the surname Ji, told the investigators that he was allegedly "overwhelmed by financial burdens," making him commit murder. 

Ji, who was employed as a rebar foreman on construction sites, reportedly accumulated about 160 million won (~P6.5 million) in debt due to difficulties in paying his workers and mismanaging contracts with construction companies.

The incident came to light after a local high school reported the absence of Ji’s younger son, prompting police to begin an investigation.

Police traced the family’s phones to the Jindo Port area, where CCTV footage later showed Ji’s car driving into the sea.

Reports said Ji took his family on a trip to Muan County in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on Friday and checked out of their accommodation the following evening. While passing through Mokpo, he allegedly gave his family sleeping pills disguised as dietary supplements.

Ji escaped through the driver’s side window without making any effort to rescue his wife and sons, as per KBS World. He allegedly fled to Gwangju with the help of a 49-year-old acquaintance, identified by the surname Kim, who provided a getaway vehicle.

Both men were arrested on Monday evening.

A local court held an arrest warrant hearing for Ji on June 4.